The complex flows in the atmosphere and oceans are believed to be accurately modelled by the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics together with classical thermodynamics. However, due to the enormous complexity of these equations, meteorologists and oceanographers have constructed approximate models of the dominant, large-scale flows that control the evolution of weather systems. The simplifications often result in models that are amenable to solution both analytically and numerically. This volume and its companion explain why such simplifications to Newton's second law produce accurate, useful models and, just as the meteorologist seeks patterns in the weather, mathematicians seek structure in the governing equations. They show how geometry and analysis facilitate solution strategies.

The complex flows in the atmosphere and oceans are believed to be accurately modeled by the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics together with classical thermodynamics. However, due to the enormous complexity of these equations, meteorologists and oceanographers have constructed approximate models of the dominant, large-scale flows that control the evolution of weather systems and that describe, for example, the dynamics of cyclones and ocean eddies. The simplifications often result in models that are amenable to solution both analytically and numerically. The volume examines and explains why such simplifications to Newton's second law produce accurate, useful models and, just as the meteorologist seeks patterns in the weather, mathematicians seek structure in the governing equations, such as groups of transformations, Hamiltonian structure and stability.

The 15th European Conference on Mathematics for Industry was held in the agreeable surroundings of University College London, just 5 minutes walk from the British Museum in the heart of London, over the ?ve warm, sunny days from 30 June to 4 July 2008. Participants from all over the world met with the commonaimofreinforcingthe roleofmathematics asanoverarching resource for industry and business. The conference attracted over 300 participants from 30 countries, most of them participating with either a contributed talk, a minisymposium pres- tation or a plenary lecture. 'Mathematics in Industry' was interpreted in its widest sense as can be seen from the range of applications and techniques described in this volume. We mention just two examples. The Alan Tayler Lecture was given by Mario Primicerio on a problem arising from moving oil through pipelines when temperature variations a?ect the shearing properties of wax and thus modify the ?ow. The Wacker Prize winner, Master's student Lauri Harhanen from the Helsinki University of Technology, showed how a novel piece of mathematics allowed new software to capture real-time images of teeth from the data supplied by present day dental machinery (see ECMI Newsletter 44). The meeting was attended by leading ?gures from government, bu- ness and science who all shared the same aim - to promote the application of innovative mathematics to industry, and identify industrial sectors that o?er the most exciting opportunities for mathematicians to provide new insight and new ideas.